New York Knicks to buy out Amare Stoudemire contract, according to report

Amare Stoudemire is in the final season of a five-year, $99.7 million contract with the New York Knicks. AP

NEW YORK — The New York Daily News is reporting that the New York Knicks have agreed to a buyout with Amare Stoudemire.

Stoudemire has battled injuries since signing a five-year contract worth about $100 million in 2010. He will be able to sign with another team once he clears waivers.

The Knicks would not confirm the report Sunday (Monday, Manila time), which cited a league source.

Stoudemire had said before the All-Star break that he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay with the team, which has the NBA's worst record, knowing he didn't have much time left in his career to chase a championship.

Carmelo Anthony says it was hard for him to believe Stoudemire was leaving, but that if his friend wanted to play for a contender that "nobody should hold that away from him."

Anthony adds: "One of the main reasons why I'm a New York Knick today was because of him. To see him leave, to see the situation where it's at right now, I know what he wants and you have to respect that."